Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada

302–393 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3B 3H6 Canada. www.elcic.ca

Toll free: 1.888.786.6707, Phone: 204.984.9150, Fax: 204.984.9185

The Honourable Vic Toews

Minister of Public Safety
House of Commons
Ottawa, Canada K1A 0A6

December 15, 2010

Dear Hon. Vic Toews,

I am writing to express my concern that the government of Canada is planning to significantly

increase investment in the building of new prisons.

The need for new prisons seems rooted in proposed new federal laws which will lead to more
Canadians being sent to prison for longer periods. Do you have any evidence that such a strategy
will reduce crime or assist victims?

Canada seems headed toward policies that apply a costly prison response to people involved in
the courts who are non-violent offenders, or to repeat offenders who are mentally ill and/or
addicted. There is a large risk that these policies will be applied disproportionately to people
from the most disadvantaged and marginalized groups. Many people who are convicted of crime
require treatment, health services, educational, employment and housing interventions; all less
expensive and more humane than incarceration. Will the government of Canada be making a
significant investment in interventions that offer opportunity for reform and healing?

Our church supports a vision and strategy of restorative justice. When a crime happens, victims,
offenders, families and the public are all in need of healing. Incarceration alone does not meet
victims’ needs for healing or a sense of safety. For both moral and practical reasons, society
ought to be concerned not only with the length of terms for prisoners, but also with the character
of the person as they leave prison. Programming needs to promote accountability, respect and
reparation. For example, well supervised probation on release, bail options, reporting centres,
practical assistance, and supportive housing are all models of consequences for crime that also
help offenders to change behaviour and reintegrate into community. Will your government be
investing in programs that help prisoners to become productive citizens?
December 15, 2010
Page 2

Every person is made in the image of God and is blessed with dignity. We all need a place to
belong. Public safety is enhanced through healthy communities that support individuals and
families. In what ways is your government planning to support preventive programming that
helps people find a place in community through education, recreation, culture, counselling and
mutual support?

I thank you for considering my questions and I look forward to your response.

Yours in Christ,

The Rev. Susan C. Johnson

National Bishop, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada

Cc: National Church Council of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada

Mark Holland, Liberal Critic for Public Safety
Maria Mourani, Porte-parole en matière de sécurité publique du Bloc Québécois
Don Davies, NDP Critic for Public Safety